Posted on: Sunday, January 27, 2002

Marijuana case retrial begins

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island judge heard testimony last week in the retrial of marijuana advocate Jonathan Adler, who plans to run for governor.

Adler was charged with commercial promotion of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after police found 89 marijuana plants and other evidence at his Hawaiian Paradise Park home outside Kea'au in 1998. Adler claims he has a legal right to use marijuana for medical and religious purposes.

Adler is one of 471 people statewide who have obtained state certificates for the use of marijuana for medical purposes. He also is co-pastor of the Religion of Jesus Church, which uses marijuana as a sacrament.

A jury in August was unable to reach a verdict in the case, and both sides agreed to a nonjury trial for a repeat. Judge Greg Nakamura is not expected to issue a verdict until late next month.

Nakamura heard testimony last week from a doctor who described Adler's need to use marijuana for an asthma problem.